Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's back disorder is rated at 50% effective from April 25, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected low back disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating effective January 1, 2011. The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica is granted a 40 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates, including bilateral hearing loss, collar bone disabilities, hip disabilities, shoulder impingement syndrome, knee conditions, ankle sprains, foot contusions, and elbow scars.

The Veteran's initial claim for major depressive disorder was granted, and he is now receiving a 70% disability rating. The Board has also remanded his claims for foot disability (gout), low back disability, and bilateral hip disabilities.,Further development is needed to determine the current status of these conditions and their relationship to service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right elbow disability, right shoulder disability, and low back disability. ,However, the claims for a gastrointestinal disability, lung condition, and other disabilities are being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc/joint disease and claims of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea. The decision also includes a request for an updated TDIU application.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a compensable rating.,The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder did not meet the criteria for an effective period under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 prior to July 13, 2018, or subsequent to August 31, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals were improperly placed on the AMA Hearing Docket and should be re-docketed under the Legacy system. The Veteran is advised to file a VA Form 9 if he wishes to continue his appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities and TDIU has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right hip, bilateral knee, and right foot disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has denied service connection for a back condition and remanded the case for further examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or substantially confined to his dwelling due to service-connected conditions, resulting in a denial of SMC based on aid and attendance and housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hand fracture, back condition, gout, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for the back condition has been readjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disorder was denied, and the claim for a compensable rating for his surgical scar as secondary to his service-connected disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral disability is being remanded due to an inadequate medical examination prior to the April 2019 decision. The examiner did not address the severity of flare-ups and radiculopathies, which are important factors in determining the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore grants his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's lower back condition is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's hypertension, secondary to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is granted as service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the cervical spine. The other issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.